Security and Safety

Violent crimes prompt U. of Minn. to run weekend buses

MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Daily reported that the University of Minnesota recently unveiled its new Weekend Circulator bus route. The university started planning for the new bus service in December in an effort to increase safety after several violent crimes occurred on and near campus.

The cost to run the circulator during the spring semester will be about $125,000. The university’s Parking and Transportation Services department will reallocate its standing budget to pay for the extra gas, staff and bus maintenance, a university spokesperson told the paper. For the full story, click here.

Surveillance video from the bus shows the little girl getting onto the bus and taking a seat. Within an hour, she was reunited with her shocked but thankful parents, who have since reconfigured their door locks.

The 60-second videos, available in English and Spanish, will be aired on local television stations as Public Service Announcements. In addition, Metro has purchased paid advertising time to maximize awareness. The ads will begin airing next week.

Fitted to the side of a bus, a CycleEye unit uses radar and camera sensors to identify cyclists in potentially dangerous situations in close proximity to the bus and gives an audible alert to the driver’s cab. Bristol City Council will be funding a number of units on buses within the city, where cycling has more than doubled over the last 10 years.